Lyndon LaRouche: Trump needs the American system of economics

A three-part interview with Lyndon LaRouche conducted in January by Joseph Ford Cotto was posted last week in the recently-relaunched San Francisco Review of Books. In his introduction to the interview, Cotto speaks highly of LaRouche: “People have said a great many things about Lyndon LaRouche over the years. To be fair, he has shared more than a bit about his own views — and why not? At 94, he has a lifetime of experience in traversing the maze of politics, economics, science, and cultural pursuits that makes our world go ’round.’

“While LaRouche’s claim to fame is principally of a fiscal nature — his LaRouche-Reimann Method is perhaps the most accurate economic forecasting model yet devised — the man has delved into so many different facets of the human experience that one can legitimately elevate him to polymath status. “Whether one should read his views on classical music or space technology, it is a wonder that a single fellow is capable of holding so much knowledge about such a diverse array of topics.

Even in the case that his views are found to be disagreeable, it must be admitted that he knows his stuff…. “Having interviewed the man on several occasions and reviewed his biography, it seems clear to me that, for the immense complexity of his life’s work, the overarching goal is raising the bar of civilization so as many people as possible enjoy a more-than-decent standard of living…. “I also say that, given his age and multitude of life lessons, he should be deemed a living historical monument.

Special emphasis is due the word ‘living’ as LaRouche’s movement is arguably stronger than ever, thanks to the Internet, and the finely-tuned publishing empire he built ensures that his views will remain in circulation for quite awhile.” Cotto published excerpts from the conversation he had with LaRouche, in particular on Trump’s presidency and how to rebuild the American economy. To a question on the future of “right-libertarian politics”, LaRouche said that “Right wing libertarian politics per se are not important. It is Trump and his role which is important. It is a new, improved practice.

Trump has promised to invest $1 trillion in urgently needed infrastructure and promised the implementation of a 21st century Glass Steagall Act. If he implements his infrastructure promise he will need that reform to finance it.” LaRouche further said the crucial issue is to “make the economy work with real measures as I just mentioned.” It is important to act in a “more novel way, not doing the same old thing…. We’re talking about Trump on the basis that he is now the new leader for the United States.

He has promised to build up the American economy again, and there are great precedents of American presidents using the American System of Economy as it was developed by Alexander Hamilton, explicitly in contrast to the British System of Free Trade. That is the system that worked in the past, and it will work again. Now, what Trump has done by his success, here, is to build up the possibility of a revival of the U.S. economy.” The second and third excerpts from the interview with LaRouche dealt more specifically with education and economic productiv